I would like to share my experience at Phezulu Safari Park Curio Shop in Botha's Hill which lays in the heart of A Valley of a 1000 Hills KwaZulu Natal South Africa.
Thank you @dswigle for hosting Market-friday challenge and making it possible for me to share it with you.
Peter and I had a date with @lizelle and her hubby Arthur yesterday, we were suppose to go to the Chef School in the Valley of a Thousand Hills a few kilometers from where we live for lunch, only to find they were closed on a Thursday, feeling disappointed and undecided on what to do or where to go, Peter suggested Phe-Zulu Safari Park which was just around the corner from the Chef's School. We weren't to sure on what to expect as we hadn't been there for many years.
No! we didn't go hunting today or go on a Safari tour, lol!! We just visited the Curio Shop in the park.
Lizele and I were overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised at the amazing colors of the Zulu art and gifts on display, we were like two kids in a toy shop for the first time.
After our "oohing and aahing" we started taking photos then realized we both wanted to do a blog on the same subject.
Oh dear!....what now!....looking at each other wide eyed knowing what the other was thinking.
It wasn't like it was a major "train smash"... with a little compromising and a little delegating, we came to the agreement that I would do a post on the gifts department and Lizelle would do the clothing and fabric as there was just to much to put into one post, we didn't want to bore our Hivian friends with a long tiresome post.
So!... with out any further a do, we parted in different directions clicking the camera on our poor phones until the battery died.
A wooden wall hanging of traditional ceremonial Zulu masks
Wooden beaded dolls hand made by Zulu women and a colored plastic wired hippopotamus.
Ornamental gifts carved out of hard wood by Zulu men, and reasonably priced too.
Figurines carved from drift wood depicting the Zulu tribe with the white doted pattern painted on it.
Hand painted Big Five on shopping Bag
Beautifully hand painted wooden bowls, I just love those earthy colors.
Lovely grass baskets with lids
Hand painted ceramic bowl. My Christmas gift to myself. Lol!
The Zulu masks are worn in dances or special ceremonies, they have spiritual meanings, their beliefs are formed around the presence of their ancestral spirits which are very important to them especially their religion.
Each mask has a special purpose, either to bring good luck or ward off evil spirits.
(OMG! they scare the hell out of me, Lol!)
A ceremonial wooden mask
Some colorful wooden maidens made by the Zulu people. The Zulus are very proud but humble people and take their culture very seriously.
Wooden figuring's dressed in hand painted fabric
Zulu Chess Board
All the figures on the chess board is hand carved, that would make a beautiful Christmas gift for the avid chess player.
Carved head of an elder of the Zulu tribe
Hand carved wooden painted Zebra
Beautiful African drums and hand carved giraffes, all these curio art works are so reasonably priced, I was amazed, so much work goes into each item, makes me wonder what the poor artist got paid for his or her amazing work.
Carved animals and bowls The African people are known for their bright colors and beads.
A kudu buck watching over the establishment
Big Five Coasters
Mobiles made from material and sticks, beautiful gift for a young lady.
Hand brightly painted tin mugs to add to your camping gear.
Carved Elephant and Rhino.
Tall skinny figuring's gazing out at the green hills over looking the valley
Annie the Rag Doll, waiting patiently for some one to pick her up give her a huge hug and take her home with them.
Here we have Sam the guardsman watching over his section, hasn't met Annie yet I don't think.
Beautifully painted ostrich eggs
Painted Ostrich eggs
Colorful masks
Gifts for Africa, there is so much to see in this shop it is just to much to show in one post. I will have to do another post at a later stage to show the rest of the amazingly beautiful work of these dedicated artists.
Hope you have enjoyed the tour as much as I have, until next time, have a great weekend. All thanks to @dswigle #MarketFriday Challenge.
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All photos property of @artywink
Original content by @artywink
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I just love how you told the story of our awesome day out, This place was the biggest 'find' for a long time, just awesome!
Keep on writing my friend, you certainly know how to tell a story!
Great blog with awesome photos!
I really appreciate @artywink for the privilege to behold this beautiful artifacts.
I'm proud of my African heritage.
Oh yes, there is no place like Africa, I am proudly South African and love my people. Thank you @vickoly for stopping by.
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This was such an amazing post. You really put the post together nicely and it has been a pleasure to have you! I always put the suggestions in each response, so don't feel like you did anything wrong. Thank you so much for being a part of #MarketFriday! I am so happy to see such an awesome response to the challenge. The response was overwhelming this week, so I apologize for the brevity, It is a holiday weekend and I have had family from out of town since Wednesday, so time is not mine. I promise you, I am never this short! :)
#MarketFriday has evolved over time from straight shopping to a cultural affair as it highlights how we differ and then again, how much we are alike. We have become a melting pot of culture, but, it is still the Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, even your language/languages that separate us... Along with the fact of what is normal for where you live? These are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I can only hope this to be true.
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Rules of the Road to Join #MarketFriday!Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative!Tell us a little bit about the market or the event. What brought you there? What did you buy? How much did it cost?Post the picture(s) Of course, you should tell a little bit about the ones you postUse the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308 (this is not required, but appreciated)
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
Upped and reposted
Thank you @dswigle for your kind words and for taking the time to read it.
I loved it and had much more to say about all those incredible masks , chess boards and the incredible pieces of the Zulu people. It made my heart happy to see them embrace their heritage instead of grasping a westernized life. Melding the two must be difficult, but holds a place in their history. I loved the place e and your Christmas gift!
I lost my original comment! 😑
Thank you @dswigle you are the sweetest kindest person I know. You make my heart very happy. Have a blessed day.